Update – Pierces Creek Bush/Grass fire WATCH AND ACT

Firefighters are continuing to work to extinguish the fire at Pierces Creek. It is now 135 hectares in size.

The recent storm activity has had minimal impact on the fire front with approximately 1.4 millimetres of rain falling in the area.

The fire continues to burn erratically and is heading in a south-easterly direction in steep terrain. The fire is 7km away from the nearest suburb (Kambah).

There is currently no threat to property and no evacuations have been ordered for residents, horses or other animals.

Some members of the community have chosen to take their horses to Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) who are offering free stabling. Information about this is available on the EPIC website: www.exhibitionparkincanberra.com.

A map of the fire is available at www.esa.act.gov.au.

More than 20 crews from ACT Fire & Rescue and ACT Rural Fire Service are on site. Three bull dozers and two graders are working to assist with efforts at the site by building containment lines.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s severe thunderstorm warning for the ACT and surrounding region is still in effect with the potential for damaging winds over the next several hours. They also advise that the haze over Canberra is not smoke but dust from inland NSW. It is likely to get thicker throughout the evening.

The Health Directorate advises that people with asthma, other chronic respiratory and/or chronic cardiac diseases should not perform vigorous exercise and should stay inside if affected by the dust.

People with asthma in particular should continue their medication and consult their general practitioner if they have any difficulties.

The ACT Emergency Services Agency would like to thank NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW who were on stand-by to assist with efforts at the site, but these services are no longer required.